Editor’s Note: I am not a scout (#notascout). I am an amateur when it comes to evaluating players. I don’t claim to be a pro, I just want to pass along the information I observe/obtain to the people. Notes and comments are based on personal observation, talking to sources, reading scouting reports and watching video. For future entries in this series: All ratings in the charts below are on the standard 20-80 scouting scale, where 50 is roughly average, 80 is elite and nearly unattainable and 20 is unacceptably poor. Enjoy.

The first player born in the 2000s on this list (JFC), Rodulfo was signed as part of the 2016-17 international signing class out of Venezuela. He pitched in the Dominican Summer League at the age of 16 this past season and fared quite well: 3.21 ERA, 3.19 FIP, 18.1 K%. For a 16-year-old, that’s pretty impressive. He’s a guy to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Hernandez signed out of Venezuela in December 2015. After an uneventful debut in 2016, he got things going last season. In 63 games in the Dominican Summer League, he hit .279/.390/.375 and drew more walks than strikeouts. He handled himself well behind the plate that he has a future there. He’ll have to show more going forward, but he should make it stateside this year and the organization can get a good look at him.

Perez was signed out of Venezuela in 2014 as a 16-year-old. He got his first taste of full-season ball with Great Lake but didn’t fare too well (.541 OPS). If he makes it to the majors, it’ll be on the strength of his glove and versatility.

The Dodgers signed Schueller out of Germany in June 2013 for less than $100,000. He got to full-season ball for the first time in 2017, pitching for both Great Lakes and Rancho Cucamonga. Schueller throws from a low three-quarters arm slot and has a fastball that sits in the 90-94 MPH range. He backs it up fringy low-80s slider. If he makes it to the majors, it’ll likely be as a right-handed specialist (ala Sergio Romo).

Zuniga, a native of Colombia, was one of the Braves’ international signings who was declared a free agent after the scandal orchestrated by John Coppolella. The Dodgers picked him up in December for $205,000 (originally signed with Atlanta for $350,000). He has a projectable frame, a good fastball (88-92, tops out at 93 MPH) and a solid curveball. He might be able to add velo as he matures.

Sanchez was signed for $125,000 during the 2014 international signing period. He was signed as a shortstop but has since moved to be more of a corner outfielder/first base-type. He has a chance to add some strength to his lanky frame. He showed some offensive improvement in 2017, but he has yet to make it out of the Dominican Summer League. He should get to Arizona this year. Oh, and he’s the nephew of Juan Uribe.

Muhammad was originally a Mariners’ 11th-round draft pick in 2014 and was signed in December 2016 as a minor-league free agent. His first season with the organization had some impressive highlights: 3.13 ERA, 34.6 K% and just one home run allowed in 37 1/3 innings — mostly with Great Lakes. He was a bit wild, though, which is cause for concern. He has a low-to-mid-90s fastball that has some natural cut and a hard curveball. He’s an interesting relief prospect to monitor going forward.

The Dodgers signed Zabala out of Colombia in December 2015 as a 16-year-old for an undisclosed amount. Not physically imposing, he has handled his duties behind the plate well thus far and has shown a bit of on-base ability. Of course, it remains to be seen if he continues that ability going forward, but catchers who post a .400+ OBP — no matter what level of competition — is going to open a few eyes.

Heredia was signed in July for $300,000 out of the Dominican Republic. The Dodgers were restricted in how much they could spend on a single prospect during this signing period, and they felt it prudent to give Heredia the full amount. He has a projectable frame and a killer name — what more could you ask for? He’s also another 2000s kid, if you want to feel old.

Mieses placed as high as No. 16 on this list just last year, but Double-A chewed him up and spit him out. He still has considerable power potential (16 home runs in 90 Double-A games), but contact will always be an issue for him. He may have already maxed out as a prospect at this rate.

Osorio was signed on the first day of the 2014 international signing period for $205,000 at age 17. He still hasn’t made it out of complex ball, but he did reach the Arizona Rookie League for the first time in 2017. He has shown some on-base ability, but the raw power he was projected to have hasn’t shown up just yet.

Zabala (no relation to Juan above) was acquired from the Mariners along with Drew Jackson (who will show up much later in this list) for Chase De Jong last Spring Training. He brought a big fastball (high-90s, touched triple digits), questionable command and offspeed pitches. After one year in the Dodgers’ system, those questions still remain — and he lost some velocity on his fastball. He’s still a decent relief prospect, but he’ll need to rediscover that lost velo and improve his command.

Mora was drafted in the Minor League phase of the 2017 Rule 5 Draft from the Phillies. Like many of the middle infield prospects on this list, he’s versatile. He played 27 games in Triple-A last season and should spend a majority of his time in 2018 there.

The Dodgers popped Montgomerie out of the baseball powerhouse that is the University of Connecticut in the sixth round of the 2017 MLB Draft. Despite being a bit older, Montgomerie has some potential as a reliever. He pitched in the 89-93 MPH range as a starter. That could play up out of the bullpen. He also needs to improve his fringy slider to generate more swings and misses.

Anderson checked in at No. 50 last year, and it seems that was a bit of a mistake. He had a solid showing in 2016, but Double-A did terrible things to him. He began the season with Tulsa and ended up throwing 45 1/3 innings there. He also posted an 8.74 ERA, allowed eight home runs and struck out just 32. He stopped missing bats, started missing the strike zone (walk rate increased substantially) and gave up dingers. He has fringe-average stuff (88-91 MPH fastball, low-70s curveball, high-70s/low-80s slider and changeup), so his command must be pinpoint. A shift to the bullpen might be in order, but it may not matter.

Witt was the Dodgers’ 17th-round pick in 2017 out of Michigan State. He has a big frame and has potential as a reliever going forward. He has been up to 96-97 MPH with his fastball, but the secondary offerings are lacking, as is his command/control. If he puts it all together, he could be a fast mover.

Ramirez was signed at 17 for $100,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2013. Since then, he’s been toiling around in the low minors. He had a second shot at the Pioneer League and while his ERA was ugly (6.65), he kept the ball in the yard (3 HR in 47 1/3 IP) with his sinker and missed a few bats (18.5 K%). If he can improve his command, he might be a solid relief prospect. But, he’s been in this territory for three years now. If he doesn’t take any kind of step forward, he’ll probably not make next year’s Top 100 (oh the humanity!).

The Dodgers selected Bannon in this eighth round of the 2017 draft out of Xavier. As a college draftee, it was no surprise to see him hit well in his pro debut in the Pioneer League (.336/.425/.591). The production doesn’t match the scouting profile, but his hitting well against age-appropriate competition isn’t all bad. He’s an excellent defender at third base, which could help him progress through the minors more than typical players of his ilk.

Scavuzzo was a 21st-rounder in the 2012 draft out of local Villa Park High School. He once looked like he’d be knocking on the door of the majors after a strong 2015 campaign, but his last two seasons have been injury-filled and less than productive. He has all but stalled out in Double-A after his plate discipline hasn’t improved and his power has stagnated. This might be his last season with the org if he doesn’t perform well. He was No. 40 on this list last year and ranked as high as 14th (2014).

Pop was the Dodgers’ 10th-round pick out of the University of Kentucky and signed for an under-slot $147,500 bonus. He’s armed with a 94-96 MPH fastball that can touch 98 MPH. He pairs it with a hard 85-88 MPH slider that isn’t as consistent as it needs to be. He could vault up this list with a strong 2018 season. He’s also a bit younger than your typical college draftee, giving him another leg up on his contemporaries.

Valera signed during the 2015-16 international signing period out of Venezuela as a 16-year-old. After a so-so first year in the DSL (.627 OPS), he took off as a 17-year-old. He hit .317/.405/.462 while playing a competent shortstop. He might continue to grow which could mean a move to third base, but for now, he’ll stick at shortstop.

Chiu was the Dodgers’ 15th-round pick in 2017 out of Marin College. Like Bannon, he’s a college draftee, but he didn’t make it to Ogden. He played in the Arizona Rookie League and hit well: .297/.384/.459 while splitting time between second and third base. He was listed as an outfielder on the Dodgers’ instructional league roster, so he might dabble out there next season. He doesn’t project to have a lot of power, but he has good bat-to-ball skills.

Sandoval is another one of the fallen. He signed for $150,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2013 and got as high as No. 20 in the Top 100 (last year). He repeated High-A and struggled to the tune of a .214/.281/.375 triple slash. He’s athletic and a great defender in the outfield, but the bat has fallen behind quite substantially.

Vargas was signed out of Venezuela at the age of 16. After two seasons in the DSL, Vargas made it stateside for the 2017 season. He spent most of his time in the AZL, throwing 58 2/3 innings there. He made one appearance with Ogden in the Pioneer League. He exhibited good command/control (3.5 BB%), especially for a teenager. He works in the 90-92 MPH range but has touched 96 in the past. He’s a deep sleeper in this system and might ultimately end up in the bullpen, especially if he has a little reach back velo.

The Dodgers drafted Boyle in 13th round in 2015 and he has yet to make it out of A-ball. But he’s been a starter most of his career, which won’t last. A permanent move to the bullpen should help him progress through the system quicker. He has fringy stuff (high-80s fastball, slurve, changeup), but it’s decent enough to give him a chance at the majors one day. He should be tested at Double-A this season.

About Dustin Nosler

Dustin Nosler began writing about the Dodgers in July 2009 at his blog, Feelin' Kinda Blue. He co-hosts a weekly podcast with Jared Massey called Dugout Blues. He is a contributor/editor at The Hardball Times. He graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with his bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in digital media. While at CSUS, he worked for the student-run newspaper The State Hornet for three years, culminating with a 1-year term as editor-in-chief. He resides in Stockton, Calif., and has yet to be shot.